Millers Falls 77 -Hand Drill Refurbish

I refurbished this Millers Falls No 77 Hand Drill that used to belong to my Dad. This one dates back to 1927-31. I’ve had it for years, but only started using it within the past few years as I’ve gone more and more unplugged. It’s handle was too small and wobbled. Aside from a good cleaning, I didn’t want to restore the tool (new paint, gleaming metal), just refurbish it so it would work better for me.

After a bit of research I discovered that the old handle was actually a replacement. Probably an old broom handle that had been repaired with friction tape. It had to go. I started with a 3” diameter Maple branch that has been drying for quite a while. I have no lathe so I used a drawknife to get it down to 1-3/4” and did final shaping with a spokeshave.

I used a saw and chisel to create the tenon for the copper ferrule.

The handle is finished with 3 coats of Amber Shellac.

These 77’s are not the prized hand drills that the larger No. 2 is, but it works well for small holes. Works even better now with the more stable and beefier grip.

Thats a sweet thing!Nice job, and to bring your fathers old tool back to life are just wonderful also.I love that you fix it, and not restore it, there are nothing more beautiful than a used old handtool, where you can read it’s history.Hope it will serve you for a lifetime now.Best thoughts,Mads

Nice! I agree with mafe, just do what is necessary to make it work sweet. Removing the patina of age is wiping out history and beauty. Not using an old tool and just displaying it is also a sin in my books.

-- Div @ the bottom end of Africa. "A woodworker's sharpest tool should be his mind."

You can be on my team !Taking any old tool and making it functional.
For those people who want to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars and just put it on display shelf ? (ALL the power to them)My tools do get used. I do admit, I am gathering them faster than I can refurbish or clean them, their day will come !

” I think the older “cordless drills” are the way to go, and you don’t have to recharge any batteries.” Nope, I just have to keep chucking donuts down the pie hole. ;)

These old tools just keep working. I often wonder what modern tools will survive the next 100 years.

I do think a tool left to only sit on a shelf is a shame… unless it has a lot of sentimental value and is at risk for breaking easily. I have an OLD Craftsman level that I choose to not use because I don’t want to risk breaking the glass… but that’s the only one.

I have a couple of those old egg-beater drills and I enjoy using them. I also highly recommend investing in a brace & bit set for drilling larger holes. With a good sharp auger bit, it wll surprise you how quickly and cleanly one of these old tools will work.